Cubs' closer role a wide-open affair

Dusty Baker says he doesn't like the phrase, "bullpen by committee." But it appears the Cubs manager may have to come up with a more pleasant-sounding euphemism.

He will have to depend on the hot hand--or hot arm--in the Cubs' bullpen to get the job done for a while, since incumbent closer Joe Borowski has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a yet-to-be-determined shoulder malady.

LaTroy Hawkins, who closed out Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Pirates with his fourth save, will be the first choice to assume Borowski's role. Baker said he also can call on Kyle Farnsworth, Kent Mercker or Mike Remlinger as circumstances dictate.

"Hopefully, something good comes out of this, and one of those guys evolves," Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "We will do the best we can with it. The other side of this is that if we get Joe through this, he can come back and throw the way we are used to seeing him throw."

Hawkins had success as a closer with the Minnesota Twins, where he converted 28 of 37 save opportunities in 2001. Farnsworth struggled when thrust into that role in 2002, saving just one of seven opportunities for the Cubs. In 2000 with the Atlanta Braves, Remlinger had 12 saves and a 3.47 earned-run average.

"One of the things I take pride in is that whatever situation I'm put into, I try to get out of it," said Remlinger, who retired the only batter he faced in the eighth inning Sunday.

"To have [the bullpen] sort of be by committee, I don't have a problem with that. Sometimes that's better, because I think the guys who are used to pitching late are still going to pitch late. So you kind of stay prepared and plan as if you were going to pitch. . . . I just think it helps keep you a little bit sharp mentally."

Rothschild indicated that the case of the unknown closer will keep him and Baker on their toes as well.

"[Baker] will make the decisions based on the information he has in front of him and his gut feeling," Rothschild said. "But the options will be there."

Rothschild said keeping several relievers in the closing mix can have its benefits.

"They are getting a little pumped up because they are getting a chance to finish games," Rothschild said.